Dreams have the power to inspire, motivate, and drive us towards achieving our aspirations. They often serve as a compass, guiding us through the challenges of life. However, just as dreams can be a force for good, they can also hinder our growth when we become too attached to outdated or unrealistic visions that come in small boxes.
Introducing Rachelle Phillips – a Global Project Manager (GPM) in California USA. As we switch on the spotlight and spend some time getting to know Rachelle, I hope we can learn from her experience and enjoy celebrating her story whilst learning a little bit about what it means to be a GPM in her own words.
Enjoy!
So you’re a Global Project Manager… What on earth does that mean?
“Specifically in my day-to-day, I ensure on-time delivery of eCommerce content for multiple US brands; that will be seen across retailer websites. I build relationships with brand managers making sure their briefs are on time and submitted to the agency that we work with so that content can be created on time and it can be placed where it needs to be so that the retailers have access to the information.”
“Pieces of a puzzle is a great metaphor – I make sure that they’re all in alignment and I put some of the pieces down, but I’m not putting all of them down… I’ve always viewed working in companies as a circle, it takes all of us to get the job done and for everything to work.”
“A big aspect is building relationships with the brand managers to make sure that their briefs are on time to be submitted to the agency so the content can be created on time and it can be put into the system. This is three months out so the retailers have access to the info.”
“In short, I make sure that all the pieces of the puzzle are laid out and the puzzle gets completed.”
You’ve been in the role just 4 months?… What was your journey to the role?
“As a child, I remember watching my mom get dressed and I was always mesmerised with how she combined her patterns and her colours. I went through college and graduated with my degree in communications, but my heart was in fashion. I wasn’t sure what that looked like but my dream was fashion and I got lucky.”
“My college mentor got me an internship involved in photo shoots and my career grew from there, long hours, fast-paced. As time went on and with the expansion of the internet I decided to broaden my horizons, still in fashion, stepping into merchandising and marketing. It gave me so many opportunities. I just kept asking questions; ‘how do you do that?’, ‘how do you make that happen?’ – I wanted to learn as much as possible so I could stop asking!”
“I began to pick up code and was starting to manage website projects… and then I burnt out. The fashion industry felt toxic; the volatile nature, the highs and lows… but it was my dream?”
So what did you do?
“I made a list! I wanted a career that would allow me to be free, and being free meant using my time wisely, and being time efficient. Remote working was on the list… I asked questions like ‘What do I really want to do?’ and ‘What am I good at?’.”
“I realised accountability, organisation, planning and detail are the elements that form a significant part of my real life and link effortlessly to work. I’m the project manager of my family and my own life!”
“That said, there was still a battle with my own mind that I had to fight and win.”
The battle with a dream that boxed you?
“Exactly! I had to get out of my own head, the narrow thinking and narrow-mindedness of where my career was going to go and just open up. As soon as I started to step out, the position with Neem came up. It checked all the boxes.”
…and here we are! 4 months later, 4 months in the role… how is it working out for you?
“I love it! I realise now how much more fulfilled I am; I’m effectively doing what I was before but with much broader horizons and less stress.”
“It’s exciting to work with teams on projects that impact the world visually.”
“Better still, the role has lifted my head to see new opportunities for growth and learning in ways I have not seen in other roles. I feel I have space to grow and it encourages me to want more; more responsibility; more tasks; more opportunities to learn.”
Knowing all this, what advice would you give your younger self?
“Stay grounded, hold your faith, it will all balance out and your words are powerful. Continuously speak life, light, and love all around you.”
Awesome… thanks Rachelle!
Happy Thanksgiving!